Ever since Nikon announced the Coolpix A, we've been eager to get one into our lab for testing -- and for good reason. The Coolpix A is Nikon's first DX-format, fixed-lens camera, going head-to-head with existing offerings from Sigma, Leica, and Fujifilm. (And in the process, offering a more affordable, mainstream alternative to Sony's full-frame RX1.) Impressively, the Nikon Coolpix A is smaller than any other APS-C sensored, fixed-lens camera to date, and by quite some margin. In fact, it's actually small enough to be considered pocket-friendly, despite sporting the same sensor size typically found in much larger interchangeable-lens cameras.

If you, too, have been waiting with bated breath in anticipation of our Nikon Coolpix A review, we've got good news for you. Our review camera has now arrived, and senior lab tech Luke has been hard at work, harvesting the first of our many test shots. The initial batch of images are now online for your viewing pleasure; in all, we've already uploaded close to 50 still-life images, including a full ISO sensitivity series with all four noise reduction levels, plus both contrast and saturation series.

Keen to see how the Coolpix A performs? Take a look at our Nikon Coolpix A samples, or take them into the Comparometer(tm) for an up-close comparison to the competition. And when you're done, don't forget to bookmark our hands-on Nikon Coolpix A preview and samples pages, so you can keep an eye out for more as this exciting camera works its way through our in-depth testing and review process!

The Nikon Coolpix A is the first large-sensor, DX-format Coolpix camera.